iFi ZEN DAC 3

Balanced USB DAC & Headphone Amplifier | DSD512 | PCM 768kHz | Full MQA Decoder

Plug In. World Out.

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 is the latest evolution of iFi’s award-winning desktop DAC and headphone amplifier. Designed for home and office use, it delivers bit-perfect hi-res audio, powerful headphone amplification, and balanced connectivity — all in a refined new design.

Freshly updated yet unmistakably ZEN, the DAC 3 unlocks every detail in your music, from streaming platforms to high-resolution local files.

Refined to Perfection

The ZEN DAC series has earned global acclaim, including WHAT Hi-Fi?’s “Best DAC under £200” for four consecutive years.
ZEN DAC 3 continues this legacy with major technical upgrades:

• PCM up to 768kHz / 32-bit

• DSD up to DSD512

• Full MQA decoding

• USB-C input with improved protection

• Reduced DC offset to minimize clicks and pops

This is the most advanced ZEN DAC to date.

True Native® Hi-Res Audio

At the heart of ZEN DAC 3 is iFi’s trusted Burr-Brown True Native® DAC, delivering bit-perfect playback:

• PCM up to 768kHz

• DSD64 / 128 / 256 / 512

• Single & double-speed DXD

• Full MQA three-stage decoding

Thanks to Burr-Brown’s four-channel architecture, PCM and DSD follow separate signal paths, preserving their native formats without conversion.

XMOS 16-Core Processing Power

Digital audio is handled by a next-generation 16-core XMOS microcontroller, offering:

• Double the clock speed (2000 MIPS)

• Four times the memory (512KB)

• SuperSpeed USB performance

• Ultra-low latency and jitter

Custom-programmed by iFi’s in-house digital team, it ensures perfect synergy with the Burr-Brown DAC.

Powering Your Headphones

ZEN DAC 3 is not just a DAC — it’s a capable headphone amplifier:

• Balanced 4.4mm headphone output

• 6.3mm single-ended output

• Up to 390mW output power

• Drives a wide range of headphones and IEMs

PowerMatch®

Switchable gain for demanding headphones.

XBass+® (Analogue)

Enhances bass without affecting midrange clarity — ideal for IEMs and open-back headphones.

For even more power, pair ZEN DAC 3 with ZEN CAN using a 4.4mm balanced interconnect to create a full ZEN system.

DAC. Preamp. Speaker Hub.

ZEN DAC 3 adapts to your system with a Variable / Fixed output switch:

• Variable mode: Directly drive active speakers or power amplifiers

• Fixed mode: Use as a pure DAC feeding an integrated amp or receiver

Outputs include:

• Balanced output

• RCA line output

One device. Multiple setups.

USB-C Powered, Upgradeable Performance

ZEN DAC 3 is powered via USB-C, simplifying cable management.
For audiophiles seeking even cleaner power, a dedicated 5V input allows connection of an external supply.

Pairing with iFi iPower2 (sold separately) delivers:

• Active Noise Cancellation II

• Dramatically reduced EMI/RFI

• Over 10× quieter than typical audiophile power supplies

Precision Timing & Low Jitter

Advanced jitter-eradication technologies include:

• GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock

• Intelligent memory buffering

• Updated low-jitter crystal clock with >20dB performance improvement

The result: cleaner transients, improved imaging, and greater musical realism.

Specifications

• Type: Desktop USB DAC & Headphone Amplifier

• DAC: Burr-Brown True Native®

• USB Interface: XMOS 16-Core

• PCM: Up to 32-bit / 768kHz

• DSD: DSD64 / 128 / 256 / 512

• MQA: Full Decoder

• Inputs: USB-C

• Outputs: RCA, Balanced Out, Headphone Out

• Body Material: Metal

• Wireless: No

Why Choose ZEN DAC 3?

• Award-winning ZEN sound, fully upgraded

• True balanced architecture for cleaner audio

• State-of-the-art hi-res and MQA support

• Powerful headphone amp + DAC/Pre flexibility

• Upgrade path with external power supply

Plug In. World Out.

The Award-winning DAC/headphone amplifier for Home and Office.

Fresh New Look. Unleash Every Music Detail.

The ZEN DAC 3 serves as your gateway to the world of high-resolution music, offering support for sample rates of up to 768kHz. This future-proof feature ensures full compatibility with all music formats available on streaming platforms, bringing you the best in sound quality.

Equipped with a built-in headphone amplifier and the versatility to function both as a DAC and a DAC/Pre, this all-encompassing device is the only piece of equipment you’ll need on your desk. It seamlessly connects to headphones, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, or active speakers, offering a comprehensive audio solution for home and office

Refined to Perfection.

The acclaimed ZEN DAC series has garnered numerous awards, including being named WHAT Hi-Fi?’s Best DAC under £200 for
four consecutive years.

The ZEN DAC 3 continues its legendary status by doubling its high-resolution support up to 768kHz, DSD512, and MQA decoding capabilities.

The USB-C connectivity streamlines cable management and provides USB input overvoltage protection, safeguarding it against potential harm. Moreover, a significant reduction in DC offset minimises audio clicks when adjusting settings. These improvements propel the
ZEN DAC 3 to new heights of audio excellence.

Powering Your Headphones

The ZEN DAC 3 goes beyond being just a USB DAC, boasting a built-in headphone amplifier equipped with both balanced 4.4mm
and SE 6.3mm headphone outputs.

With its high-performance 390mW headphone output power, you can use it with a broad range of headphones.

XBass+ is a switchable pure analogue signal processing mode designed to enhance the bass without compromising the clarity of the mid-range. It is perfect for use with IEMs or open-back headphones, which may lack bass response.

The amplifier stage includes a switchable gain feature called PowerMatch, which provides a gain boost for more demanding headphones.If you have headphones that demand even more power, you can connect the ZEN DAC 3 to the ZEN CAN headphone amplifier using a 4.4mm to 4.4mm balanced cable, stacking them up as a ZEN system.

DACtivate your speakers and amplifier.

The ZEN DAC 3 features a Variable or Fixed output switch.

In Variable mode, adjust volume using the knob when connecting directly to active speakers via our 4.4mm to XLR cable or RCA cables.

Use Fixed mode for connecting line outputs to a receiver or main amplifier.

The ZEN DAC 3 is the most versatile USB DAC in its class, offering multiple usage options.

USB-C Powered, Upgradeable Performance.

The ZEN DAC 3, powered by USB-C,simplifying cable management. However, for audiophiles seeking to elevate their
system, the 5V power input offers an upgrade path.

When an external power supply is connected,the USB-C port will only transmit data, ensuring a purer signal.

The iFi iPower2 is an ultra-quiet, ultra-clean audiophile-grade power supply, featuring Active Noise Cancellation II technology to cancel out all incoming EMI and RFI noise, you’ll never feel powerless against noise and graininess again.

It is more than 10 times quieter than most audiophile power supplies.

Hi-res audio support is state-of-the-art with True Native® playback. It handles PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512 and single and double speed DXD.

Thanks to the Burr-Brown DAC chip’s four-channel True Native design, PCM and DSD take separate pathways – this enables DSD, as well as PCM, to remain ‘bit-perfect’ in its native form right through to analogue conversion. This is not the case with all DAC devices from other brands – even if DSD compatibility is stated, many such DACs convert DSD signals to PCM.

The XMOS 16-Core chip processes the audio data received via the USB* digital input.

This new low-latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly enhanced processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this new 16-core IC delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and four times the memory (512KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.

iFi’s in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Burr-Brown DAC.

The Burr-Brown True Native® chipset means file formats remain unchanged or ‘bit-perfect’. This means you are listening to music as the artist intended in the format in which it was recorded.

At iFi we use Burr Brown extensively in our products having selected it for its natural-sounding ‘musicality’ and True Native architecture. Our experience with this IC means we know how to make the most of it.

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is supported through the USB with full decoding of MQA files up to 384kHz thanks to the processing power of the new 16-core XMOS chip.

Check out how to set up your MQA decoder via Tidal, Roon and Audirvana here.

This means that the full ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to only the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’.

Globally, MQA has become an important consideration for any comprehensively equipped DAC. It is available through for Tidal Masters, Audirvana and Roon.

It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk. Less Interference – clearer sound.

You normally find this set-up in products at the higher end of the price spectrum such as the Pro iCAN Signature but iFi is now using this across its range to produce the best quality audio for all our customers.

Sonically superior – richer, deeper.

The XBass® analogue bass correction system corrects for the missing headphone/speaker bass response.

Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including our GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and the intelligent memory buffer.

The low-jitter crystal clock has been updated to provide >20dB better performance